TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8146, 18 April 1887, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Ministerial. —Tho Hon E. Richardson and Sir Eobert Stout went to Wellington by the Rotorua on Saturday evening. A Correction —We understand that the donation of £IOOO made to the Imperial Institute, has been incorrectly attributed to the Hon George M‘Lean. It should have been credited to the Hon John M'Lean. Parish Meetings. —The annual pariah meeting in connection with St Saviour’s Church, West Lyttelton, will be held in the church this evening, and that in connection with the Holy Trinity Church on Friday evening. Alleged Larceny. William Cohen, barman at the Clarendon Hotel, Timaru, was, on Saturday, charged at the E.M. Court with the larceny of £5 7s, tho property of the landlord, Mr J. D. Kett. He was remanded till Monday next. Supreme Court, Timaru. —The criminal calendar at Timaru, where the Court opens to-morrow, comprises one charge of perjury, one against three individuals of indecent assault, four of larceny from a dwelling, one of forgery, and one of burglary. Fire at Oxford.— About half-past 1 o’clock on Friday morning, a five-roomed house at Oxford West, owned by a man named F. Pavilka, was burned down. It was insured for £IOO in the New Zealand Insurance Company. The furniture, which was destroyed, was insured for £lO in the same office. Timaru A. and P. Association.— A general meeting will shortly be held to consider the proposal of the Canterbury A. and P. Association to request the Government to open the New Zealand ports for the importation of cattle and sheep. The Standing Committee unanimously favoured the proposal. Deputation.— A deputation from the Lyttelton Borough Council, consisting of his Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Allwright) and Councillors M'Lellan, Webb, and Stinson, waited upon the Hon E. Eichardson, Minister of Public Works, in Christchurch, on Saturday, with reference to the proposed road from Norwich Quay to the wharves, abreast of the Mitre Hotel. After the matter was explained to the Minister, he promised to take it into consideration on his return to Wellington, and also to have a report as to cost, &c., made. Queen’s Jubilee Memorial. The Chairman, His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, and the Executive Committee of the Queen’s Jubilee Committee, have lost no time in taking the preliminary steps for collecting the subscriptions of the public towards the “ Home ” for the aged poor of both sexes, which it is proposed to erect as a fitting memorial of her Majesty’s Jubilee. Subscription lists, duly authenticated by the Hon Treasurer, Mr E. J. S. Harman, have been extensively circulated amongst those whose co-operation is expected in promoting so worthy an object. The Jubilee. —A meeting to receive the Committee’s proposal about celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee was held at the Theatre Royal, Timaru, on Saturday evening, the Mayor, Mr Moss Jonas, presiding. The Committee’s motion was that an address be sent to the Queen, that an ornamental fountain be erected in the town, the site and design being left to the Committee, and that the foundation stone be laid in public on the Jubilee day, sports, &c., to be then held. After the mover. Captain Woollcombe, and the seconder, Mr Dawson, had spoken, the motion was carried unanimously, and the Committee were further empowered to carry out and complete all the arrangements. Valedictory. —On Saturday last about a dozen gentlemen met together at the Leeston Hotel to bid farewell to Mr W. B. Dixon, of the Bank of New Zealand. After the refreshments, which had been provided in Host Spring's best style, had been done justice to, the Chairman (Mr W. D. Lawrence) proposed “The Health of Her Majesty the Queen,” after which the toast of “The guest of the evening” was honoured. The Chairman, in.proposing the health of Mr Dixon, spoke very highly of him, and wished him every success in his new abode at Fort Chalmers. Mr Dixon took a great interest in all sports and pastimes going in the district, and his assistance in getting up concerts and entertainments, whether for charitable purposes or otherwise, was invaluable. A few friends saw him take his departure from Leeston, wishing him every success in his new home. Popular Course of Lectures. —From an advertisement appearing elsewhere it will be seen that a most interesting course of lectures will be delivered during the coming winter season, under the auspices of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. The names of Professors Cook and Hutton, Messrs Dobson, Tajlor, Tendall, and Worsfold are Sufficient guarantees that the lectures will be both able and interesting, and the subjects which these gentlemen are to discuss are of universal interest and importance. We may mention the following titles, “ The Development of Social Life,” “ China,” “ The Moon,” “ Madrigals, “ Natural Selection,” and " Ghosts,” to indicate the wide range which this course will cover. It is to be hoped that the efforts of the Philosophical Institute in this direction will be met with appreciation, and that the lecturers will be encouraged in their undertaking by the support of the public. Poultry Society.— A Committee meeting of the Sydenham Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society was held on Wednesday evening, April 13, in the Club Hotel, Sydenham. There was a full attendance of members, and Mr Donohue was voted to the chair. The Secretary reported the promise of several special prizes to be competed for at the forthcoming show on August 8 and 4. It was unanimously resolved that the usual art union be held in connection with the show, and a large sum of money was voted for the purpose of obtainining suitable prizes for distribution. Among the prizes will be a splendid new American organ, to cost £25. The Committee then proceeded to the business of electing Judges, and the Secretary was authorised to solicit the services of several well-known gentlemen in Christchurch and Sydenham for the same. Several gentlemen forming the Committee reported on the success of the past season’s breeding, and also that the proprietors of the Wellington Poultr) Farm intended exhibiting at the next Show. The opinion of the members was that the next Show would eclipse all previous Shows held by the Society. The meeting then adjourned after passing a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Harvest Thanksgivings. The usual harvest thanksgiving service was held in the Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton, yesterday, when the church was most tastefully decorated. with fruits, flowers, &c. There was a very large congregation at the morning service, when tho Eev Sotham preached an appropriate sermon, from the words “O, give thanks unto the Lord, who gieeth food to all flesh, for his mercy endureth for ever.” There was also a large congregation at the evening service.—The annual thanksgiving service for harvest was held in Sb Stephen’s Church, Ashburton, on Friday evening. The church was beautifully and appropriately decorated for the occasion, and a large congregation was present. The Incumbent, Eev E. A. Scott, read the prayers, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Chaffers Welsh. The preacher was listened to with rapt attention • throughout an able discourse. The excellent choir of the church rendered the choral portion of tho service with effect—the solos being especially well given. Both psalms and hymns were special. The soloists in the anthem— Stainer’s—were Mr Horace Gates and Miss Gates, and Mrs Claridge was organist. Effect was given, to a very great extent, by the instrumental music supplied by two cornet players, members of the local braes band.

Parliament out of Session. Mr D. Reese, the member for the Stanmore district, will address his .constituents at the Oddfellows’ Hall, East Belt, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Dalgety and Co.—The price telegraphed to us of the quarter of a million debentures offered by the Company is £97 10s, not £B7 10s, as erroneously given in our issue of Saturday. Railway Plant.— The Government steamer Hinemoa, which left for Manukau on Saturday evening, took three large railway carriages, which are intended to do service on the Manakau-Auckland line. The Convict Hall. —Thomas Hall, the convict, was put on board the Hinemoa on Saturday afternoon. He will be quartered at Auckland for the future. Warders Donovan and Connel went in charge of him. Jubilee Singers. —On Friday evening the Fisk Jubilee Singers gave another performance at the Institute Hall, Eangiora, and were again favoured with a crowded audience. The singers’ entertainments have been the most successful from every point of view of those that have hitherto been given in the town. Mutual Improvement Association.— The preliminary meeting of the Durham street Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Association was held on Wednesday evening last, when the following officers were elected : —President, Rev J. J. Lewis; vicePresidents, Eev W. J. Williams, and Messrs J. L. Wilson, J. C. Prudhoe, and F. Gabites; Secretary, Mr T. S. Gill; Treasurer, Mr A. England; Committee, Messrs C. Gill, Hewitt, Wilkinson, and Lough. It was decided to hold the first meeting on the first Thursday in May. Swimming. —The Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club will close their season on Friday next with the distribution of the prizes won during its progress. The ceremony will take place at Mr Charles Clark’s rooms at 8 p.m. . The majority of the prizes consist of handsome silver medals and Maltese crosses. There are, in addition to these, two gold crosses, given respectively by the President and the vice-Presidents, and the Champion cup. The latter is a sterling silver goblet, richly chased. The winner is Mr E. T. Scrimshaw. Japanese Village. —On Saturday next Messrs Fryer’s Japanese Village will open in Christchurch, and as the combination has proved a great success in other parts of the Colony, we anticipate that it will meet with approval in this city. In addition to the village, which shows the various industries of Japan, there is a circus entertainment, the trained ponies, who go through a number of clever balancing tricks, being described as particularly clever. The agent has arrived in town, and is busy in preparing for the advent of the company, Kiewkb. —The Rev W. Dunkley, curate of the parochial district of Courtenay, held an evening service in St George’s Church, Rirwee, on Good Friday, which was well attended. On Easter Sunday, the service was held at seven p.m., by the Rev W. Dunkley, who preached an excellent sermon, taking his text from Ist Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 12, 13, 14, which was attentively listened to by a large congregation, the holding capacities of this little Church being pretty well tested. The Church was very nicely decorated by Mrs Tosswill, assisted by Miss Roe. Great improvements have been made in the east end by some texts, which have been fixed to the wall, to which they give a very pleasing effect. The choir, on this occasion, excelled themselves in the choral part of the service. Mrs Roe presided at the harmonium, and played in her usual pleasing style. Last Nights of the Opera —Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove’s Opera Company are likely to end as they began, with crowded audiences. On Saturday night, when “ lolanthe ” was given for the last time, the audience was very large and very enthusiastic. Instead of bringing their season to a close on Wednesday evening, the Company, encouraged by last week’s business, will prolong their stay until Friday. Their last five nights will be devoted to the presentation of two old favourites, the charming aesthetic opera “ Patience,” and the popular and pretty opera, “ The Pirates of Penzance.” The revival of these favourite works of Gilbert and Sullivan will be marked by the inclusion in the east of Miss Alice Barnett, who played the parts of Lady Jane and Ruth when the operas were first produced at the Savoy Theatre, London, where she appeared as Lady Jane more than 400 consecutive nights. The impersonation was one of the most striking features’ of the representation. In these revivals the public will also have the advantage of hearing the choruses sung by the best trained operatic chorus that has ever visited Christchurch. A satisfactory illustration of the unanimity and acting power of the chorus was furnished in the lolanthe performance, especially in the brilliant finale of the first act, which was always redemanded. The orchestra of the Company is equally admirable, the Good Friday concert proving that its members include some excellent soloists. It is gratifying to know, therefore, that the two operas with which the Royal Comic Opera Company will bring their remarkably successful season to a close, will he presented under the most favourable conditions. With respect to this evening’s performance, we have been requested to mention that after the opera a special train will leave for Lyttelton. The Wellington season will commence next Monday, the day before the opening of Parliament, so that the citizens of the Capital will have two interesting public entertainments going on at the same time. A meeting of the Education Board will be held at the Board room on Thursday, April 21, at 2 o’clock p.m. Catiuet photos, in any style, 15s per dozen. Standish and Fretce, Hish street.—| Anvr.j

Suicides of Children. —We have no means of knowing whether suicides among children are proportionately more numerous within the last few years than they were previously. Attention has been specially directed to these most lamentable occurrences recently, and this may account for the fact that an increased number of cases are from time to time under notice. There is something especially distressing in the fact that consciousness may he, and often is, so painfully influenced by circumstances in the early stages of life that death is sought as a relief from misery. It seems to us that well within the limits of sanity, a perverse, or morally cowardly, or very much worried consciousness may reason out the proposition that life is not worth living, and conclude to die. Precisely the same processes which go on in the mind of an adult may he in operation in the mind of a child. There is, in short, no reason why the young should not commit suicide as well as tho old, if only hope—which, in a very practical way, may be said to be an essential of life—is crushed out of existence. The mind in which hope dies may court death, and yet be in no sense morbid. It is difficult, but it is possible, to slay hope in the life of a child, and when this is accomplished it is not unreasonable to suppose that despair may end in selfslaughter. The intense haste of life and enterprise is, doubtless, one of the causes of suicide, and there can he no question that our system of forced education, aiid the premature imposition of hideous braintasks on the young, press heavily on the consciousness. We venture to think this subject of suicides among children is one which ought to be taken into very serious consideration by those who are responsible for the operation of laws which may ultimately render the population more erudite, but which will not, unless greatly modified, make them happier, or, in a social sense more prosperous, than heretofore.

The Baby King of Spain. —lt is stated that the baby King of Spain is a fine handsome child. Though Court etiquette requires that the six months' old monarch should be treated with the most rigid ceremony, his mother calls him "the king ” only on State occasions, and otherwise uses the simple term of " my child.” His infantile Majesty has his own vast I suite of apartments, and soldiers guard the door of his bedchamber at night. His peasant foster-mother feeds and amuses the baby; but he is washed and dressed, according to traditional ceremonial, by a bevy of ladies of honour. Doctors visit the baby king twice a day. The French Census. —The French census taken last May was published recently. It shows the population of France to be 38 218,000, whereas in December, 1881, it was 37,672,000. This gives an increase of 546.000, whereas, in 1881, the increase in five complete years was 766,000. In Paris the increase is only 75,000 —namely, from 2.269.000 to 2,344,000 —whereas last time it was 280,000. Lyons has the much larger proportionate increase of 25,000 —namely, from 376.000 to 401,000. Marseilles has increased from 360,000 to 376,000, Bordeaux from 221,000 to 240,000, Lille from 178.000 to 188,000, Nice from 66,000 to 77.000. Eoubaix has increased by 8000, and Toulouse and Tours each by 7000. The other large towns, with the exception of St Etienne (which has fallen from 123.000 to 117,000), show an increase in no case exceeding 6000. The fifty-three cities or towns having more than 30,000 inhabitants, Paris included, show a net increase of 309,000. Poisoning by Herring-roe, —ln the France Midicale a case is related in which a man was poisoned by eating three hardroed herrings. The symptoms were a feeling of oppression, vomiting, burning sensation in the oesophagus and stomach, very violent abdominal pains, and dysentery. The attack lasted about forty-eight hours, and could be traced only to the herrings. Cases of this kiud are by no means rare. It has long been known that the caviare (sturgeon-roe) and the ova of pike, barbel, perch, and other fish have frequently given rise to symptoms of poisoning in Russia. M. Goertz, a Russian physician, treated three cases of this kind in one family ; the patients had eaten hard-roe, while the other members of the family who ate the soft-roe experienced no inconvenience. Dr Miinchemeier, of Munich, in 1875 reported three cases of poisoning after eating barbel-roe. These cases, which were very severe, were treated with ice and tincture of opium and saffron. Professor Naunyn reported a similar case in Berlin in 1884. Among the numerous cases reported in Russia, herrings appear to have been the cause in only one. According to Huselmann, accidents of this nature, due to caviare of bad quality, are frequent and sometimes fatal among the poorer classes in Russia. It is impossible, according to him, to say exactly what the poisonous element is, and it is useless to hide one’s ignorance by attributing all the effects to ptomaines. In these eases, as in poisoning by mussels, oysters, and other fish, the idiosyncrasy of the individual must be taken into account. Extraordinary Case of ‘'Tossing Up.” —Our police report this Tuesday morning contains a remarkable case of sortilege successfully applied to thief capture. Some days ago a man named Harry Smith went into the barracks of the Rifle Brigade at Woolwich and asked to join the band, as he could play the cornet. There was no vacancy, but the man seems to have had nowhere to go, for James Turner, a private, gave him food and lodging for a week. On Saturday last, being left alone for a few minutes, he robbed his entertainer and absconded. Bent upon finding him. Turner at once took the train to London, and, getting out at London Bridge, walked down the Borough till the road divided. Then he took out a penny and tossed it. If it fell “ bead ” he would go to the right, if "tail” to the left. It fell " tail,” so he went up Great Dover street, and, after walking a little way, met the ungrateful thief and gave him into custody. Nothing could be simpler, and in this instance, at any rate, nothing more effectual, than this method of tracking an offender. It would probably puzzle even a professed calculator of chances to say what, in the abstract, were the odds against the robber and his victim meeting in the way they did. Had they met by aopointment they would hardly have hit it off so neatly. The tossing of the penny was by no means the only uncertain element in the calculation. The truth is that coincidences against which the odds might be counted by millions are happening every day, though it is very seldom that, as in this instance, a man is found backing the single chance and winning. It is to be feared that so remarkable a success may convert Private Turner to a belief in the tossed penny as an adviser in all emergencies, in which case he is likely to have reason for regret. Much more philosophical would it be to live in the assurance that, though he should survive to the age of Methuselah, he will never repeat the good luck of Saturday, and so lot his penny rest upon its laurels, using his judgment more in the future as to the choice both of his lodgers and of his roads.— Standard.